http://www.NewsAndOpinion.com --
I'VE been asking people what they'll remember about 2001. All but
one immediately answered the terrorist attack. My friend Mary was the
exception. "I'll remember my son Ian's birthday," she said.

"Why is that?" I asked.

"It was September 11th."

Other columnists can analyze the long shadow that the war on
terrorism cast over the year. Frankly, I don't have anything to add that
hasn't already been said. In my parting shot at 2001, I'd like to salute a
host of folks who have given us reason to smile, cause to cheer, or
occasion to scratch our heads and say, "You gotta be kiddin'!"

Let's start with a round of applause for Julia Roberts who acted
out every woman's dream. After the Oscars, when she saw the line for the
women's room snaking down a hall, she bolted for the men's room. Oh, admit
it, you've thought about it, too.

The You Gotta See It To Believe It award goes to a man who robbed
First Bank in Florissant, Mo. while wearing a baseball cap bearing
the phrase "Super Dad." My question: What was under the cap? It surely
wasn't a brain.

An electronics firm debuted a prototype for a talking robot that
can counsel families. Fifteen inches high and weighing 11 pounds, PePeRo
comes with a head, two eyes, two digital cameras, four microphones, five
sensors and a motor that lets it move and respond to people in the room. It
boasts a repertoire of 3,000 phrases and can recognize 650 expressions.

Sounds interesting. Now, who would like to volunteer to have their family
spats recorded on audio and video? I thought so.

The Growing Up Is Hard award goes to a Toronto teen who crashed
into six cars and injured a pedestrian when she demonstrated her ability
(or lack thereof) to park. The teen panicked while trying to park and hit
the gas pedal instead of the brake. The young driver and the woman she hit
were hospitalized for minor injuries. The driving instructor was treated
for shock. You have to wonder how much a job like that pays.

In Winston-Salem, N.C., Sunday school students convinced Toys R Us
to remove posters of rapper Eminem, who sings about murdering his wife and
violating his mother. Posters were pulled from all 708 locations. Hearty
congrats, kids. Ah, the power of little platoons.

Speaking of small groups who bring about big changes, kudos to
every mom and dad who worked hard at maintaining a family this year. For
those of you who took responsibilities to heart, outlined expectations,
enforced bedtimes, censored television, monitored computer use and upheld
curfews, may your tribe increase.

Next, a dozen dry-erase markers for every teacher who remained
dedicated to high standards, rich academics and a liberal smattering of fun
along the way. When tag is banned at an elementary school as a potential
form of sexual harassment, it is increasingly hard to remain sane in a
world gone mad.

Finally, congratulations to every community volunteer who did
something for nothing. Your good deeds and small kindnesses may not have
made the pages of Time or Newsweek this year, but trust me, people noticed.
Important people. Your friends, your colleagues, your spouse, your kids.